Why is it so difficult to find info on old family members it the uk?

Question:

Why is it so difficult to find info on old family members it the uk?

is there any where that is free that may help?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Largely because the national census, conducted every ten years, only becomes available every 100 years. So when the next one is due in 2011 we will get access to the 1911 one, whoopee!
As for free sites, no not really. However if you have names of ancestors you can request copies of birth certificates, marriages, deaths etc from the public records office for a small fee, about ⣱0. Better value than rip off web sites and you have the evidence to keep!